Roof Repair Tips for DIY’ers
The best way to detect a leak is to locate dampness or a trail of discoloration in the attic. Do not, however, expect the leak to be directly above a damp ceiling or wall. Most likely the leaking water has traveled beneath the roofing material and down a rafter or truss member before appearing on the interior ceiling or wall.
The best way to find a leak is to examine the underside of the roof from the attic. If your attic does not have a floor be careful to step only on the floor joists. Better yet, set boards or a piece of ½ inch plywood perpendicular to the joists. Make sure the ends of the lumber extend far enough past each joist to prevent tipping.
With a powerful light source inspect the undersides of the sheathing in the general area where the stain has appeared. Sheathing is usually made up of plywood but yours may be made of shiplap planks. In the case of very old houses, you may find no roof sheathing, only lath nailed across the rafters with wooden or slate shingles nailed on top of the lath. Good sheathing or lath is uniformly aged and completely dry even after a rain. Check for dampness and discoloration and pay special attention to the places where the roof is penetrated by the chimney, air vent, or plumbing vent pipes. If sheathing is dark, damp, or crumbling, check for wood rot by probing with a screwdriver. Rotten wood must be replaced. When the leak is discovered mark the area to be repaired. If you are going to make the repair immediately, pierce through the sheathing from underneath with a nail, extended rill bit, or awl. If not, measure from the attic wall framing and ridge or eaves. Allow for the thickness of the wall and the outward extension of the eaves when taking measurements.
Making Emergency Roof Repairs
Damage from fallen tree limbs, violent storms, and exceptional snow buildup is an unwelcome surprise. Here are some interior and exterior solutions to leaks.
Limit the water damage as quickly as possible by placing a bucket as close to the leak as possible. Remove and discard soaked attic insulation. A string attached to the leak guides the water to the bucket.
Cover large areas of damage with a fiber-reinforced plastic dropcloth. Place boards under the dropcloth to create a high spot that will carry water away from the damaged area.
To fix a broken or missing shingle in an emergency situation, slip a piece of scrap sheet metal or aluminum flashing under the damaged shingle. Tap it with a block of wood to force it under the course above.
Making Temporary Roof Repairs
Equipped with hammer, pry bar, galvanized roofing nails, roofing cement, and spare shingles, a do-it-yourselfer can quickly make repairs to protect the home temporarily. When dealing with shingles remember to tuck the topmost edge of new shingles or patches beneath the course above. This overlap sheds water in a downward direction.
To temporarily repair wind-torn shingles, glue down both sides of the tear with roofing cement. Nail both sides and apply cement over the heads of the nails. Applying a small amount of cement to the shank of the nail before hammering it home creates an especially good seal. In a similar fashion, curled shingles are glued down with roofing cement. This is best done on a hot day when the shingles are warm and supple. Nail them if necessary, coating the nail shanks and heads with roofing cement.
Repairing Blisters on Built-Up or Commercial Flat Roofs
With time, blisters may appear on built-up roofs. This occurs because moisture that is trapped under one of the layers of the roof expands due to extreme heat and causes bubbles to form. The bubbles must be lanced, flattened, and resealed to eliminate the possibility of a future leak. Here’s how you perform this particular flat roof or commercial roof repair: 1. Split the blister. 2. Apply roofing cement. 3. Apply a patch. 4. Re-apply gravel.
Worn roofing, popped nails, and separated seams are the most common problems. Standing water on low spots often forces leakage. One advantage of having a leak on a flat roof is that it is easier to work on than an angled roof. A disadvantage is that water can find any gaps left in the patch and the patch itself can act as a dam, eventually creating another leak-prone pool. Follow these steps carefully, filling all gaps while keeping the profile of the patch as smooth as possible. 1. Cut away the damaged roofing. 2. Cement the patch. 3. Nail and apply roofing cement. 4. Add a final roof covering membrane.
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